He Alone is Able

John‬ ‭2:7-8‬ ‭- Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.

We've all heard the story of Jesus turning water into wine when the wine ran out at a wedding. This was His first miracle. I am studying the Gospel of John. One of the questions caused us to think more deeply into all the points of this account. I knew this story related to things new and better. Even before I started answering the questions there was a stirring in my spirit. 

Jesus' mother, whom He called "woman," was something that has always stood out. It was not meant disrespectfully. It shows that she was no different than any other person, a sinner like anyone else. She too needed a Savior, and it just so happened that her Savior would be her own son. Just like the rest of us. No one is greater or on the same level as He. 

He did, however, reprimand her! What does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come, He told her. She didn't balk at His answer. She probably realized her presumptuousness and she only told the servants to do as He would say. She knew... 

Jesus turned water into wine. A common, everyday element. It was turned into very good wine. It was common practice at weddings to serve the best wine first, then when all had had plenty of it, begin to serve cheap wine. Who would know? But the wine that Jesus made, out of water, was better than the first and it was recognized. 

God is not going to take the best person first and use him. He reaches out for those in the saddest, weakest, lowliest and humblest state. This is what we all are when we realize a need for a Savior. No matter how good we think we are, it's often our pride which keeps us from knowing God. In our humblest state He removes the impurities creating a new person. That person is much better than before. We must be made new through Jesus for His work in us to be successful. Like His mother, we should not balk at this either. We humble ourselves like His mother and being obedient, do whatever He says. (Verse 5) Allow His work in us.

The host of the wedding said this: Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now! (John‬ ‭2:10‬) Jesus caused a miracle. His glory was revealed in this miracle, not so much for the bridegroom and the host, but for those behind the scenes who saw and heard Him speak to His mother and what she spoke to the servants. He quietly performed this miracle. Some, but not all, saw and heard...and believed. But imagine the chatter later on...oh to have been a fly on the wall. 

Isn't this what happened to those of us who received Christ, who were touched in some miraculous way, who came away from our own personal miracle knowing without a shadow of a doubt we'd been touched by the power of God?! We realized we were not the same, our thoughts and hearts changed, our knowledge was different. We saw things through the eyes of God now. We were made new. Others might have seen a great transformation. Sometimes it's a gradual change.

Only Jesus was able to turn that water into wine. Only He is able to change us, to turn us from sinners to saints and children of God. We are not made new by knowing someone who is, or going to church, or being good. We must "run out" of ourselves. We must call on the Lord to fill us and create a new, better person, like that wine. Then we can be taken to the Master of the feast! We can be reconciled with Him. He can receive that new man to Himself. 

Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭- Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

‭‭